Bible Concordances
Courts of Justice

Torrey's Topical Textbook

• Have authority from God
  Romans 13:1-5

• SUPERIOR COURT
  • Held first by Moses alone in the wilderness
    Exodus 18:13-20
  • Consisted subsequently of priests and Levites
    Deuteronomy 17:9; Malachi 2:7
  • Presided over by the governor or the high priest
    Deuteronomy 17:12; Judges 4:4,5
  • Held at the seat of government
    Deuteronomy 17:8
  • Decided on all appeals and difficult cases
    Exodus 18:26; Deuteronomy 1:17; 17:8,9
  • Decisions of, conclusive
    Deuteronomy 17:10,11

• INFERIOR COURT
  • In all cities
    Deuteronomy 16:18; 2 Chronicles 19:5-7
  • Held at the gates
    Genesis 34:20; Deuteronomy 16:18; 21:19; Job 5:4
  • Judges of, appointed by the governor
    Exodus 18:21,25; Deuteronomy 1:9-15; 2 Samuel 15:3
  • All minor cases decided by
    Exodus 18:26; 2 Samuel 15:4
  • All transfers of property made before
    Genesis 23:17-20; Ruth 4:1,2

• Re-established by Jehoshaphat
  2 Chronicles 19:5-10

• Re-established by Ezra
  Ezra 7:25

• SANHEDRIM OR COURT OF THE SEVENTY
  • Probably derived from the seventy elders appointed by Moses
    Exodus 24:9; Numbers 11:16,17,24-30
  • Mentioned in the latter part of sacred history
    Luke 22:66; John 11:47; Acts 5:27
  • Consisted of chief priest, &c
    Matthew 26:57,59
  • Presided over by high priest
    Matthew 26:62-66
  • Sat in high priest's palace
    Matthew 26:57,58

• OF THE ROMANS IN JUDEA
  • Presided over by the governor or deputy
    Matthew 27:2,11; Acts 18:12
  • Place of, called the hall of judgment
    John 18:28,33; 19:9
  • Never interfered in any dispute about minor matters or About religion
    Acts 18:14,15
  • Could alone award death
    John 18:31
  • Never examined their own citizens by torture
    Acts 22:25-29
  • Appeals from, made to the emperor
    Acts 25:11; 26:32; 28:19

• Generally held in the morning
  Jeremiah 21:12; Matthew 27:1; Luke 22:66; Acts 5:21

• Sometimes held in synagogues
  Matthew 10:17; Acts 22:19; 26:11; James 2:2

• PROVIDED WITH
  • Judges
    Deuteronomy 16:18
  • Officers
    Deuteronomy 16:18; Matthew 5:25
  • Tormentors or executioners
    Matthew 18:34

• JUDGES OF
  • Called elders
    Deuteronomy 25:7; 1 Samuel 16:4
  • Called magistrates
    Luke 12:58
  • Rode often on white asses
    Judges 5:10
  • To judge righteously
    Leviticus 19:15; Deuteronomy 1:6
  • To judge without respect of persons
    Exodus 23:3,6; Leviticus 19:15; Deuteronomy 1:17; Proverbs 22:22
  • To investigate every case
    Deuteronomy 19:18
  • Not to take bribes
    Exodus 23:8; Deuteronomy 16:19
  • To judge as for God
    2 Chronicles 19:6,7,9
  • To decide according to the law
    Ezekiel 44:24
  • To promote peace
    Zechariah 8:16
  • Sat on the judgment-seat while hearing causes
    Exodus 18:13; Judges 5:10; Isaiah 28:6; Matthew 27:19
  • Examined the parties
    Acts 24:8
  • Conferred together before giving judgment
    Acts 5:34-40; 25:12; 26:30,31
  • Pronounced the judgment of the court
    Matthew 26:65,66; Luke 23:24; Acts 5:40

• Both the accusers and accused required to appear before
  Deuteronomy 25:1; Acts 25:16

• CAUSES IN, WERE OPENED BY
  • The complainant
    1 Kings 3:17-21; Acts 16:19-21
  • An advocate
    Acts 24:1

• THE ACCUSED
  • Stood before the judge
    Numbers 35:12; Matthew 27:11
  • Permitted to plead their own cause
    1 Kings 3:22; Acts 24:10; 26:1
  • Might have advocates
    Proverbs 31:8,9; Isaiah 1:17
  • Exhorted to confess
    Joshua 7:19
  • Examined on oath
    Leviticus 5:1; Matthew 26:63
  • Sometimes examined by torture
    Acts 22:24,29
  • Sometimes treated with insult
    Matthew 26:67; John 18:22,23; Acts 23:2,3
  • The evidence of two or more witnesses required in
    Deuteronomy 17:6; 19:15; John 8:17; 2 Corinthians 13:1
  • Witnesses sometimes laid their hands on the criminal's head Before punishment
    Leviticus 24:14

• False witnesses in to receive the punishment of the accused
  Deuteronomy 19:19

• Corruption and bribery often practised in
  Isaiah 10:1; Amos 5:12; 8:6

• THE JUDGMENT OF
  • Not given till accused was heard
    John 7:51
  • Recorded in writing
    Isaiah 10:1
  • Immediately executed
    Deuteronomy 25:2; Joshua 7:25; Mark 15:15-20
  • Witnesses first to execute
    Deuteronomy 17:7; Acts 7:58
  • Allusions to
    Job 5:4; Psalm 127:5; Matthew 5:22
  • Illustrative of the last judgment
    Matthew 19:28; Romans 14:10; 1 Corinthians 6:2